For years, I treated public speaking like a garnish. Useful, yes—but not essential. Like many professionals, I had my checklist of “real” skills: strategy, analysis, operations, budgeting, marketing. I invested in performance tools, dashboards, and meetings—but when it came to standing up and speaking out, I told myself, “It’s not my strength. And anyway, how often do I really need it?”
Turns out, quite often. And avoiding it came at a cost I didn't fully grasp—until I faced it head-on.
When “Nice to Have” Became “Non-Negotiable”
It started innocently enough. I was asked to present quarterly operations updates during an internal town hall. Slides? Easy. Metrics? Solid. But standing there, with twenty pairs of eyes waiting for me to speak—I blanked. Not entirely, but enough to make my voice shake, rush through ideas, and leave my message limp.
Feedback that followed was polite, but clear: “We couldn’t quite follow.”
That stung. Not because I didn’t know my stuff, but because I couldn’t deliver it.
That stung. Not because I didn’t know my stuff, but because I couldn’t deliver it.
The Illusion of “Backstage Expertise”
I had built my career backstage—solving problems, coordinating teams, and keeping processes seamless. I thrived on being the person who made things happen without needing the spotlight. But public speaking isn’t about ego or showmanship. It’s about clarity. Leadership. Presence.
And when you're tasked with leading teams, influencing decisions, or representing your function—there is no backstage.
I realized I’d avoided public speaking not because it wasn’t important, but because it made me uncomfortable. And discomfort can be deceiving—it often dresses up as irrelevance.
The Turning Point
After that town hall, I made a quiet promise to myself: I would invest in my communication skills—not someday, but now.
I joined a weekly internal session focused on presentation skills. Each week, we tackled things like:
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How to build a compelling narrative
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Speaking without crutches (no notes or slides!)
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Handling tough questions with grace
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Using silence as a tool—not a fear
I won’t pretend it was easy. But what surprised me most wasn’t just how much better I got—it was how quickly I started feeling heard.
The Real ROI
A few months later, I led the same town hall again. This time, I opened with a story instead of numbers. Paused strategically. Looked people in the eye. And I saw heads nodding—not just in agreement, but in engagement.
Here’s what improved—not just for me, but for my role:
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Stakeholders asked better questions because they understood the context
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My team felt more aligned, as updates became clear and digestible
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Cross-functional coordination got faster—less back and forth, more buy-in
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I was invited to lead more initiatives, simply because I could articulate vision
And internally? I started feeling empowered. Not because I was louder—but because I was clearer.
Why We Underestimate Speaking Skills
We live in a world that worships productivity, efficiency, and technical skills. But none of those matter if you can’t convey an idea, inspire action, or represent a team. Public speaking isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being credible.
It’s the difference between people hearing what you say and remembering why it matters.
What I’d Tell My Younger Self
If I could rewind, here’s what I’d say:
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Don’t wait until you're forced to speak—start before you're asked.
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Public speaking isn't a separate skill—it elevates every other skill.
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The fear of speaking fades. The impact of confident communication does not.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in a leadership or HR role, or simply someone driving change behind the scenes—don’t sideline your voice. The ability to speak, present, and pitch is no longer a “soft skill.” It’s the catalyst that turns potential into visibility.
I used to believe public speaking was extra. Now I know—it’s essential.
No matter what type of learner your child is, PlanetSpark helps set your child up for success by providing online classes with a curriculum that's designed to develop essential skills to make your child future-ready.
No matter what type of learner your child is, PlanetSpark helps set your child up for success by providing online classes with a curriculum that's designed to develop essential skills to make your child future-ready.
No matter what type of learner your child is, PlanetSpark helps set your child up for success by providing online classes with a curriculum that's designed to develop essential skills to make your child future-ready.